Page 9 - The Wayne Dispatch

Murder outside Rec Center details learned

By Carolyn Marnon
Sixteen year-old Antoine Perry, Jr.
was in 29th District Court on Decem-
ber 28 for allegedly murdering a 19-
year old outside HYPE Recreation
Center on November 26, 2018. An-
toine faced four charges: homicide-
felony murder, armed robbery, and
two charges of felony firearm.
Three Michigan State Police cars
and three City of Wayne police cars
were seen outside the courthouse
while police officers filled the halls
outside the courtroom.
The Honorable Judge Laura
Mack presided over the court pro-
ceedings. She instructed those pres-
ent that no pictures were to be taken
of the defendant’s face or of any
minor testifying before the court.
She also made it clear that anyone
who was testifying that day or who
would testify in downtown Detroit
was not allowed to view the proceed-
ings.
The first witness was a 16-year
old girl who said Antoine had been
her boyfriend for a few months be-
fore the incident occurred. She said
he had told her via Facetime that he
was going to “jug” something. Ac- Sixteen year-old Antoine Perry, Jr. leaves 29th District Court on December 28 for allegedly murdering a 19-year old outside
cording to UrbanDictionary.com, HYPE Recreation Center on November 26, 2018.
“jug” means to steal. The second witness was in the to the men. A car had pulled up to driving away before running toward
Later that day, she and Antoine HYPE parking lot, getting ready to them. One went up to the driver’s the corner of the building.
were hanging out in a garage with work out. He said he noticed two side door and then he said the car The final witness was Officer
other friends where “we play music African-American men standing by took off at a high rate of speed with Michael Bolton of the Wayne Police
and conversate.” While they smoked the corner and didn’t think anything the person holding onto the door Department. He says he received a
weed, Antoine pulled a gun out and of it. He went about gathering his while it was being driven. The per- report of a shooting. The victim was
started playing with it. The witness workout gear and water bottle when son tumbled from the car while fir- in the main lobby of HYPE bleeding
said she told him he was trigger his attention was then diverted back ing several times at the vehicle from his stomach. Outside, he found
happy and that he needed to chill three bullet shell casings and a
out. phone about 3 inches away from the
Plans were made to get more casings. Officer Bolton said the de-
weed. She said he told her he was fendant walked up saying he was
going to take the weed from the weed looking for his girlfriend’s cell phone.
guy. The defendant was detained at that
The group pulled up behind time.
HYPE where Antoine and another During testimony, sobs could be
friend got out of the car. Antoine heard in the courtroom.
took her phone with him to text the Judge Laura Mack said testi-
weed guy. A bit later, the friend is mony showed probable cause. The
running back to the car, shaking, say- defendant was placed at the scene of
ing “Twoin really blew that nigger” the crime with a gun. The witnesses
because he didn’t give him the weed. were credible. The case was bound
Antoine then shows up at the car, over to Wayne County Circuit Court.
and she sees the gun. She testified On January 4 at the Frank Mur-
they were all scared. Her sister, who phy Hall of Justice in downtown De-
was driving the car, takes off and troit, Antoine Perry stood mute as a
then stops in front of Franklin Mid- plea of not guilty was entered by the
dle School. She said Antoine had court. The court ordered a compe-
dropped her phone and she wanted Officer Michael Bolton of the Wayne Police Department testifies before Judge Laura tency evaluation. The competency
it back. Mack. hearing is scheduled for March 1.
The Wayne Dispatch · January 2019 · 9